The Warren County School System will not lose its accreditation, as had been scheduled for Friday. Instead, the system has been placed on accredited probation until June, according to a news release from The AdvancED Accreditation Commission.

The school system received the notice last week.

"It's a great Christmas present for the kids because they can relax and enjoy the holidays knowing they'll graduate from an accredited school," said Carole Jean Carey, the superintendent of Warren County Schools.

In June 2009, an investigation by AdvancedEd Accreditation concluded that the Warren County Board of Education was "in a state of perpetual paralysis," and it was put on probation for the 2009-10 school year.

The report revealed problems in the governance of the school board and not in academic instruction or student achievement.

Subsequent reviews resulted in the scheduled discontinuance of accreditation and the removal of three board members from office by Gov. Sonny Perdue in September. Following protocol, three new members were appointed to take their place.

"We're thrilled about the probation," Ms. Carey said. "We knew they would want to come back and reassess the board because the new members have only been on the board for three months. This board has been super. They come prepared, they express their opinions, they vote. It's just how it's supposed to be."

Warren County Schools will be expected to play host to another investigative team by June to assess progress in nine areas.

"This is a critical juncture for the school system, as it has the opportunity to show its ability to sustain the progress made to date and demonstrate the leadership expected from those who define the quality of education for the community," said Dr. Mark Elgart, the president and CEO of AdvancedED.

AdvancedEd ensures excellence in education through the combined efforts of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.